Episodes

Feb. 28, 2024

Anthony Griffin: Global Communications Entrepreneur

It's a truly inspiring chat with the incredibly positive and humble entrepreneur, Anthony Griffin. He's the brains behind Saga Consulting, a company dedicated to helping organizations and individuals share their stories with ...

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Jan. 23, 2024

Dr. Greg Story: Japan Business Expert, Author, Sales, Presentations a…

Discover the art of mastering public speaking, enhancing your presentation skills, and unraveling the secrets to impactful storytelling. Join Dr. Greg Story, the esteemed president of Dale Carnegie Japan and bestselling autho...

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Dec. 21, 2023

Matthias Sutter: Luxury Hotel GM & Hospitality Leader

Meet a true Hospitality Professional. Mr. Matthias Sutter, the Rep. Director of Shangri-La Hotels Japan and the GM of the Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo. We discuss Japanese customer service, how different nationalities have differe...

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Nov. 25, 2023

Mac Salman: Customized tours, Japanese whiskey, and why Tokyo is the …

The phrase "Do what you love and you never have to work another day in your life" fits Mac Salman perfectly. Mac left the finance industry and pursued his passions - Travel, Japan, and tasty spirits. We discuss his customize...

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Oct. 24, 2023

Deanna Elstrom: Japan Consumer Insights Specialist

Deanna Elstrom is a veteran brand marketer, brand strategist, and consumer insights specialist. She started her own consulting business, Somi Insights, three years ago where she combines her love of branding with a fascinatio...

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Sept. 25, 2023

Parissa Haghirian: Japanese Management Expert

Parissa Haghirian is an internationally renowned expert on Japanese Management and Leadership and a Professor of International Management at Sofia University. She is the author of 12 books on Japanese Management, Cross-Cultu...

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Aug. 29, 2023

Jeff Crawford: Digital Marketing Expert, has SEO advise for you

Jeff Crawford is the president of Zo Digital, a bi-lingual digital marketing agency he founded over seven years ago. He describes many of the mistakes foreign companies make when setting up their web presence in Japan and exp...

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July 26, 2023

Timothy Langley: Renowned Japan Business and Political Advisor & Advo…

Introducing the remarkable and iconic veteran of Tokyo, Timothy Langley. With an impressive track record of over 40 years in Japan, Timothy is the visionary founder of Japan's premier government and public consultancy firm, L...

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June 24, 2023

Taro Asano: Traditional Japanese Sword Maker

Dive into the world of traditional Japanese sword making with craftsman Taro Asano. He is one of only a handful of practicing "Kajiya" (a person who forges Japanese swords / Katana) still in Japan. He also offers a workshop i...

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May 18, 2023

Guy Perryman: Award-Winning Broadcaster & Radio Personality

Award-winning broadcaster and radio host Guy Perryman. Guy's soothing and melodic voice has been heard throughout Japan for the past 30 years starting with the launch of Virgin Megastores in 1990 and then Tokyo's InterFM sin...

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April 23, 2023

Loic Bizel: Japan Fashion Trends Expert / Founder of "Leo & Lea"

This episode we discuss fashion in Japan and premium dog food. Not two topics often mentioned in the same sentence, but very related to today's guest Mr. Loic Bizel. Loic started his own fashion consulting business in Tokyo n...

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March 26, 2023

Brendhan Kelly: Hospitality Communication Manager

This episode I speak with Brendhan Kelly, the Hospitality Communication Manager for the Tysons Group of restaurants. Tysons is most well known for Ivy Place, Cicada, Smokehouse, and the iconic TY Harbor Brewery in Tennozu Isl...

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Feb. 25, 2023

Katsura Sunshine: Master Rakugo Storyteller

This episode I sit down with Katsura Sunshine, the only Western Rakugo Master Storyteller in the world and only the 2nd in the history of traditional Japanese Rakugo. He shares his fascinating journey from Canadian playwright...

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Jan. 29, 2023

Kaki Okumura: "Wa, the Art of Balance" Author

I’ve been doing the Now and Zen podcast for exactly 3 years. That’s 80 episodes with many great guests, wonderful stories, fascinating insights, and I’m often asked, who was my favorite guest. That’s a lot like asking a pare...

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Dec. 19, 2022

Joseph Delmastro: Author "Cultured Gaijin"

This episode I speak with Joseph Delmastro, the author of Cultured Gaijin. It’s a unique book set in 1970s Japan about what happens when Joseph, an airman stationed in Tokyo, breaks free from expectations and fully embraces...

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Nov. 24, 2022

Alvin Tan: 6 Controversial Reasons Foreigners should work for Japanes…

Have you ever thought about working for a Japanese company in Japan, but were turned off by all the stories of long hours, low pay, slow career path, no incentives for performance, archaic hierarchy rule setting, social drink...

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Oct. 15, 2022

Kiyoshi Matsumoto: Author of Japan Unmasked

This episode we deep-dive into well-know, but often misunderstood Japanese culture topics with Kiyoshi Matsumoto. Kiyoshi is the author of the book “Japan Unmasked, Understanding Japan and its people”. Kiyoshi is Japanese b...

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Sept. 27, 2022

Federico Fanelli: Swirl Wine the Personalized Wine Subscription Servi…

Drinking wine should be a relaxing event and lifestyle enhancer, at least this is how Swirl co-founder Federico Fanelli views it. Originally from Italy, Federico came to Japan on a mission to introduce the wine lifestyle to J...

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Sept. 11, 2022

Dominic Carter: Japan Market Entry and Branding Expert (Rerelease)

This episode you will hear from Dominic Carter, an expert on Japan market entry, market research, and branding. Dominic shares great insight, knowledge, and current research results, for anyone working in Japan or looking to ...

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Aug. 24, 2022

Sean Nichols: Japan Entertainment industry insider & Ultraman actor

Sean Nichols has been an entertainer on Japanese TV, a Manzai stand-up comedian, the global representative for Japan's biggest YouTuber, went on tour with Aerosmith, but is most famous for his starring role in the Ultraman ...

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Aug. 11, 2022

Masako Yamamura: Hospitality and Retail Training Professional

This updated and re-released episode we get into Hospitality and Retail with professional sales and leadership trainer Masako Yamamura. We discuss Omotenashi possibly leading to world peace, Bartenders are the most fun hosp...

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July 23, 2022

William Ryan: Japan Hospitality Consultants founder and Irish bar pio…

Have you ever considered opening your own bar, cafe, or restaurant in Japan? It seems daunting and bureaucratic doesn't it? On this episode you will hear just how simple it can be. I speak with William Ryan, the founder of …

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July 10, 2022

Julien Rey: Leasing Director for "Thrillers & Fillers" at The Outlet!…

A topic near and dear to my interests and business: Retail in Japan. Specifically the Outlet Mall industry. This episode we hear from Julien Rey, the Leasing Director for the Outlet! Company. Japan already has numerous outl...

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June 27, 2022

Masafumi Otsuka:

This is a deep-dive into those mystifying Japanese business practices foreigners in Japan often struggle with. Intercultural Facilitator Masafumi Otsuka explains the frustrating Japanese business practice of "Why Japanese man...

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